Your dynamic real estate career awaits in one of the hottest real estate markets in North America. And you’re only 77 hours of prelicensing coursework away from getting your New York real estate license. In no time at all, you could be helping clients buy a cozy upstate NY home, a summer getaway in The Hamptons, or a chic Manhattan apartment.
Whether you’re just beginning or taking your real estate career to a new state, we’ve got you covered. We reviewed the most popular New York real estate schools to share the best of their features with you. We examined their ease of use, pricing, online access, quality of instruction and materials, and more. By the end of this article, you’ll be fully equipped to choose the right school for you—so let’s dive in!
5 Best New York Real Estate Schools for 2023
| Our Top Picks | Pricing From | Promo Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate | $329 | TheClose25—Save 25% |
| Best for Job Placement: New York Real Estate Institute | $495 | |
| Best for Mobile: Aceable Agent | $239 | Click our Aceable Agent link—Save 25% |
| Best for Exam Prep: The CE Shop | $299 | TheClose30—Save 30% |
| Best for Career Resources: Kaplan | $379 | KAPRE5—Save 5% |
(New York prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
New York Real Estate Governing Body:
New York State Board of Real Estate
Prelicensing Requirements:
77 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
None
Continuing Education Requirements:
22.5 Hours Every Two Years
New York Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info
Becoming a real estate agent in New York can be accomplished quickly and inexpensively. Here’s what you can expect from quality New York real estate schools that will help you both launch and sustain your new career. Typically, New York real estate schools offer a variety of course packages in these categories.
Prelicensing Courses
The first step to becoming a real estate agent in New York is to enroll in a 77-hour prelicensing course. Up until recently, it was only 75 hours long; New York added two hours of implicit bias training starting December 21, 2022. You must complete these classes before taking the state’s license exam. All of the schools on our list offer these classes, and we’ll help you choose the New York real estate school that suits your needs.
For more information about the other steps involved in becoming a real estate agent in New York, read our seven-step guide.
Exam Preparation Courses
It may have been years since you last sat for an exam. Most soon-to-be real estate agents feel more comfortable facing the license test after spending time using quality exam prep materials. You can find exam prep materials offered as standalone packages or as part of prelicensing course packages.
Exam prep often includes helpful tools like flashcards, practice tests, videos, and even instructor-led study sessions or access to online study groups. We love the way The CE Shop’s Exam Prep Edge packages use responsive technology to isolate the areas in which you need more practice.
Continuing Education Courses
The first time you renew your real estate license, you’ll need to take 22.5 hours of New York real estate continuing education (CE) classes. You probably aren’t yet thinking about renewing your license, but we mention these because some of the real estate schools in New York that we’ve chosen offer packages that bundle prelicensing classes with the CE courses you’ll need to complete within your first two years.
Now that you know what you need to become and stay licensed in New York, let’s take a look at the real estate schools we’ve reviewed with a fine-toothed comb, just for you.
Best Overall New York Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing courses
- Post-licensing courses
- Managing broker prelicensing course
Colibri Real Estate holds the top spot on our list of recommended New York real estate schools because their programs are affordable, expertly designed, and offer instructor support. As a student, you’ll have plenty of choices, since they feature both self-paced learning and livestream classes.
The essential material is repeated, so you have ample opportunity to retain it. Plus, it’s a national company with loads of experience, making them one of the country’s leading online real estate schools (and part of our national guide for online real estate schools too).
Colibri Real Estate Pros | Colibri Real Estate Cons |
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Colibri Real Estate Pricing
Colibri Real Estate offers four online, self-paced prelicensing course packages in New York, starting at $329. Note that the two hours of implicit bias training that is required for a New York real estate license starting December 21, 2022 is included.
- The Basics ($329): This entry-level package is for those who are “disciplined self-starters with some real estate experience.” You’ll receive the required 77 hours of class time, three real estate e-books, and email or phone access to state-approved instructors.
- Exam Preparation Package ($389): This includes everything from The Basic package plus exam prep material and a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee, which means you’ll get your money back if you don’t pass the exam on your first try.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($429): For a little more, you’ll receive everything in the previous two packages, plus 40 hours per month of live access to instructors. You’ll be able to ask questions regarding tricky material or items that you miss on the practice exams. This package also includes a printed textbook.
- Ultimate Learning Package ($529): Here you’ll receive everything from the Exam Preparation Plus package as well as a one-year membership with McKissock, which specializes in real estate CE and professional development. With this membership, you’ll have access to professional development courses, webinars, job aids, and more.
Colibri Real Estate also offers a livestream class option with four daytime scheduling options.
- NY Livestream Package ($529): This package is ideal for the student who prefers scheduled classes or enjoys the interaction that a livestream class offers. This package includes the prelicensing course, instructor support, e-books, exam prep materials, a real estate dictionary, and free proctoring for the course exam (not the licensing exam).
(New York prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
FAVORITE FEATURE: We chose Colibri Real Estate as the best overall among real estate schools in New York because of their value-packed options. No one other school offers as many exam prep, support, and continuing education features in their prelicensing packages.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: It’s hard to find something wrong with Colibri Real Estate’s course offerings. If we had to choose something they could improve on, we’d love to see a full-time day livestream course option for students who want to complete their course quickly through scheduled classes.
BOTTOM LINE: Sign up for one of Colibri Real Estate’s New York prelicensing packages today. You can get started with your first lesson immediately after creating an account, and 77 hours later, you’ll be qualified to sit for the state licensing exam.
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent?
Best New York Real Estate School for Job Placement: New York Real Estate Institute
New York Real Estate Institute offers:
- Prelicensing courses
- Continuing education
New York Real Estate Institute has graduated more than 100,000 students since opening in 1987, and they’re the only local company on our list. They initially opened to provide courses to those interested in investment real estate, but they realized that their innovative scheduling would appeal to those interested in changing careers as well.
Our list of best New York real estate schools wouldn’t be complete without including New York Real Estate Institute. The company allows you to take its courses in any order. The live, online classes are offered mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends, and the rotating schedule is designed to get you through the material quickly. Plus, the company guarantees you employment assistance through their unique job placement program.
Note that the two hours of implicit bias training that is required for a New York real estate license starting December 21, 2022 is included.
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New York Real Estate Institute Pricing
New York Real Estate Institute offers three packages. Here’s the breakdown of what’s included in each of them:
- Basic ($495): Students will receive access to the 77 hours of New York real estate classes with this introductory course, plus lifetime job placement assistance.
- Professional ($750): This package includes everything in the previous package, plus two tutoring sessions, a seminar, and a $50 credit toward continuing education.
- Platinum ($995): This top-tier course includes everything in the previous two packages, plus exam prep materials, an e-book, unlimited group tutoring sessions, practice exams, and more. Plus, you can mix the school’s live and livestream classes to complete your program when you upgrade to the Platinum package.
(New York prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURES: New York Real Estate Institute has many unique offerings, including live, online courses that you can take in any order. While we like their unique schedule, our favorite feature is the lifetime job placement assistance. Regardless of your niche, New York Real Estate Institute has relationships with some of the top real estate brokerages in New York that can help you get started.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Local real estate schools often don’t have the resources available to produce sleek, interactive online courses. While New York Real Estate Institute can give you access to real-life New York real estate agents, they may not be able to provide you with an online course with high-level production value. If you’d like modern-looking interactive course material, consider enrolling with Colibri Real Estate instead.
BOTTOM LINE: Graduating more than 100,000 students is an impressive statistic. New York Real Estate Institute must be doing something right. Get job placement help and access to a livestreaming classroom when choosing New York Real Estate Institute.
Best New York Real Estate School for Mobile: Aceable Agent
Aceable Agent offers:
- Prelicensing courses
- Exam prep
Aceable Agent is the premier choice for people on the go, as it was the first major online real estate school to invest in mobile app development for their courses. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t waste even a moment of your day, you’ll appreciate Aceable Agent’s mobile-friendly real estate courses.
Students have the choice to complete their courses and even their unit exams from their smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. Users also like Aceable Agent’s interactive format and fresh, engaging content. You’ll have email access to certified real estate instructors from Monday to Friday who can answer your questions about course content and the licensing process.
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Aceable Agent Pricing
Aceable Agent offers three prelicensing packages for New York. Like Colibri Real Estate, it’s very affordable. Even though their guarantee isn’t as impressive as some schools, they offer you your money back if you don’t pass the licensing exam after three attempts. Note that the two hours of implicit bias training that is required for a New York real estate license starting December 21, 2022 is included.
- Basic Package ($239): With this straightforward course, you’ll enjoy a completely self-paced learning experience with access to instructor support via email and “lite” exam prep and practice test questions.
- Deluxe Package ($369): You’ll get everything in the previous package, plus access to 75 videos, 70 audio lessons, and deluxe exam prep materials.
- Premium Package ($469): Enjoy everything in the previous package, plus an hour of private tutoring with a real estate pro, live webinars five times per week, and a livestream Q&A.
(New York prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
FAVORITE FEATURES: We love Aceable Agent for its mobile experience. If you have a fast-paced New York lifestyle, a daily commute, or just enjoy learning on your phone, you’ll love Aceable Agent’s app. Aceable Agent also made our national list of the best providers of continuing education. Finally they seem to have really great customer service. When we reached out to better understand the additional hours required, their representative was knowledgeable and extremely helpful.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Aceable Agent provides the coursework you need to sit for the real estate exam. However, their guarantee, which promises a refund after your third failed attempt, doesn’t inspire much confidence. Their exam prep material is not the strongest, and they could do better in giving their students specific test-taking strategies.
If you think you’ll need more study materials and aids to get ready for the NY licensing exam, we’d recommend The CE Shop’s three top-tier packages. For a fast-paced program that allows you to get through the required coursework quickly, choose Aceable Agent.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re always attached to your cell phone and have pockets of time throughout the day to complete lessons, consider enrolling in Aceable Agent’s mobile-friendly prelicensing courses.
Best New York Real Estate School for Exam Prep: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Managing broker prelicensing
The CE Shop deserves a spot on our list for its incredibly high student pass rate. In New York, 97% of its students pass the license exam, with 90% of them passing on their first try.
With their expert instructors, top-tier materials, and effective exam prep, The CE Shop is so confident you’ll succeed that they offer a pass guarantee. The Exam Prep Edge package will prepare you for your license exam through their helpful notes, quizzes, and practice questions.
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The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop offers four online self-paced course packages to complete your 77-hour prelicensing requirements in New York. Note that the two hours of implicit bias training that is required for a New York real estate license starting December 21, 2022 is included.
- Course Only ($299): Includes your prelicensing course as well as digital flashcards, a study schedule, and new e-books refreshed every month.
- Standard Package ($379): Enjoy everything from the previous package plus the Exam Prep Edge package and a pass guarantee.
- Value Package ($429): You’ll get everything from the above package plus business-building courses to help you start your new career.
- Premium Package ($549): Choose this option to get everything from the above packages plus a 22.5-hour post-license course package.
(New York prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
FAVORITE FEATURES: The CE Shop’s top three packages include quality exam prep, which covers every topic that may show up on your license exam. We also love that you can purchase The CE Shop’s Exam Prep Edge as a standalone product (priced at $125).
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Not to be picky, but The CE Shop would have a competitive edge if they offered Exam Prep Edge at every package level.
BOTTOM LINE: You’ll walk into your license exam with confidence when you choose to study with The CE Shop.
Best New York Real Estate School for Career Advice: Kaplan
Kaplan offers:
- Prelicensing courses
- Exam prep
- Post-licensing courses
- Continuing education
- Agent and broker renewal courses
Kaplan has been helping students pass tests since 1938. Its top three packages include the 77-hour prelicensing course, a New York-specific real estate textbook, and access to a live, online study session. They also include an on-demand test prep course to give you that additional boost of confidence you’ll need right before taking the exam.
Some of their packages will assist you in launching your career as a real estate agent. Note that the two hours of implicit bias training that is required for a New York real estate license starting December 21, 2022 is included.
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Kaplan Pricing
Kaplan offers four prelicensing packages for soon-to-be New York real estate agents.
- New York 77-Hour Salesperson Qualifying Course ($379): A package with the basic online courses necessary to take the New York exam.
- New York 77-Hour Salesperson Qualifying Course With Textbook and Master Exam Prep Package ($509): This package comes with the prelicensing course, a state-specific textbook, and the on-demand and live webinar exam prep courses.
- Career Launcher Package ($709): Kaplan’s mid-range package includes everything from the previous one, plus access to practice exams. Most importantly, it includes an eight-hour, live online course called Real Estate Accelerator that teaches business-building skills used by some of the nation’s most successful agents.
- Carnegie Career Launcher Package ($909): Kaplan’s top-tier package includes access to Dale Carnegie’s classic course, Win Friends and Influence People. You’ll learn how to succeed in real estate, as well as life, with this content.
(New York prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
FAVORITE FEATURES: We love Kaplan’s Career Launcher package because it supplements a test-only focus with the information you’ll need to get your business off the ground. Most New York real estate schools will cover topics like real estate law, types of mortgages, and disclosure statements in their courses, but many won’t discuss how to find your first clients, organize your schedule, or stage a home to make it shine.
At Kaplan, you’ll be able to pick the brains of some of the best real estate minds in this live, online course. They’ll discuss marketing techniques and income plans that are not typically covered in prelicensing courses. Plus, you’ll be able to absorb this experience from the comfort of your own home.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Kaplan’s prelicensing packages are expensive. Its entry-level choice provides little more than you would get from Colibri Real Estate or Aceable Agent, and it costs hundreds of dollars more than those schools.
BOTTOM LINE: Learn how to be a real estate agent with Kaplan’s Career Launcher course. Even though this is the highest-priced package on our list, having access to mentors in the field is, in our estimation, well worth the extra money. Getting licensed is but a first step, and launching a new career requires some specialized skills and networking.
Real Estate Schools in New York: FAQs
We’ve helped you uncover the best real estate schools in New York, but you may have a few additional questions. Here are answers to the most common questions. And if there’s something we haven’t covered here, be sure to tell us in the comments section.
Which is the best New York real estate school or program for me?
Our top pick for New York real estate classes is Colibri Real Estate. It’s affordable, expertly designed, and is highly rated by students.
Of course, your learning style may be better suited to live online real estate courses, but if you want flexibility and the ability to work at your own pace, check out Colibri Real Estate.
Can I get my real estate license online in NY?
Yes! Every school on our list gives you the option of learning from the comfort of your living room. However, even though most real estate schools across the country now have online options, you must take your New York real estate agent exam in person.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in New York?
It takes about three months to become a real estate agent in NY, but you can decrease that time dramatically if you’re dedicated. New York Real Estate Institute says you can get through their prelicensing courses within days, and the other real estate schools on our list allow you to work at your own speed.
How long before I have to renew my New York real estate license for the first time?
You have two years to complete 22.5 hours of New York real estate continuing education classes. Some of the schools that we recommend have packages that include the courses you’ll need to renew your license.
Related article: The 5 Best Real Estate Continuing Education Providers for Realtors
How many Realtors are there in New York?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ October 2022 data, there are 63,075 Realtors in New York. This is a 1.66% decrease from the previous month and about a half a percent decrease from October 2021.
Related article: Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide
How much do real estate agents make in New York?
It all depends on the number of deals and the commission splits, but according to Indeed.com, the average real estate agent in New York, NY made $100,344 in 2022. In greater New York State, the average is considerably lower: $86,457, which is eight percent below the national average.
What’s the average home price in New York?
According to Zillow, home values for the state of New York were up 10.4% in 2022, reaching $412,141. The average for New York City is much higher, $783,175.
Bringing It All Together
In addition to helping you choose from the best real estate schools in New York to meet your needs, we also strive provide a host of resources, strategies, and insights from real estate professionals for every stage of your career. We want to help you thrive in our industry and in your new career! Have advice, insights, or questions? Leave us a comment below.
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